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According to the Amputee Coalition, 2.1 million people live with limb loss in the United States. April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. A time to celebrate the victories and lives of amputees. One company that helps this population gain more independence is Cascade Prosthetics and Orthotics.

Their partner company, Cascade Dafo, created the original DAFO® (Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis) in 1985. Today they manufacture a complete system of pediatric bracing. They offer a full line of prosthetic and orthotic devices, including both custom-built and off-the-shelf products.

Custom devices are created in their own fabrication lab, with special consideration to their patients’ unique needs and preferences. Their practitioners specialize in the evaluation and treatment of patients with mobility issues. With locations in Ferndale and Mt. Vernon, they work with patients to provide a full assessment, discuss functional goals, and fit them with a device to best meet their needs.

Cascade Prosthetics & Orthotics is also a long-time supporter of Unity Care NW. Joining us as a sponsor and showing their commitment to health care for everyone. Thank you, Cascade Prosthetics & Orthotics, for your support!

After a thorough review, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the authorization of a shelf-life extension for the Pfizer antiviral therapy, Paxlovid, which is currently authorized for emergency use for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Paxlovid is now authorized for use for up to 24 months and issued a list of new expiration dates for Paxlovid by batch number.

Questions? Call (360) 752-7406 to speak to our pharmacy staff.

“As the United States neared the green light for the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, many families were eager to start the vaccination series and others were more hesitant—and families across the board may have questions regarding the vaccine. The medical staff at Unity Care NW would like to help parents and guardians work through these questions to help make the right choice for their children.

Lisa Nelson, Pharmacy Director, and Rachel Herman, Medical Operations Manager, both of Unity Care NW, say there are a few things all parents and guardians should be aware of as they consider the COVID vaccine for their children.

“From my perspective, there’s a lot of concerns about whether the vaccine is safe, and I think it’s important to know that we have data to support that the vaccine is safe,” Nelson says. “Children aren’t at as much risk as adults, but the risk for children for a negative outcome from actually getting COVID is far more significant than any small risk [from the vaccine]…”

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Molina Healthcare was founded in 1980 by an emergency room physician with a mission to provide quality health care to those who needed it, no matter their circumstances. Molina Healthcare of Washington has been caring for individuals and families across the state of Washington for over 20 years.

Today, Molina Healthcare of Washington serves over 1 million members through government sponsored programs Apple Health (Medicaid), Medicare D-SNP, and the Health Benefit Exchange in every county across Washington state.  In Washington’s North Sound region, Molina serves over 130k members, including nearly 40k members in Whatcom County. They collaborate with community partners to eliminate access barriers and tackle health disparities to improve the health and lives of their members and communities.

Every day, Molina works to earn the continued trust of their members, providers, and community partners. Molina Healthcare of Washington has supported Unity Care NW through charitable giving. Most recently, Molina provided a contribution to support our collaborative Way Station project, which will provide a variety of services under one roof for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Company also participates in our Healthcare Champions Sponsorship program. Unity Care NW is thankful for their support and appreciative of their commitment to provide health care to all.

For nearly 30 years, Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) has been providing health care to Washington families. As Washington’s first not-for-profit to serve Apple Health members, their mission is to support individuals in making the best health care decisions for themselves and their families. Today they offer Apple Health (Medicaid) and Medicare Advantage plans in the Whatcom area.

 CHPW’s background and focus

In 1992, Washington’s community and migrant health centers (CHCs), created Community Health Plan of Washington to provide health insurance to people who were not being served by traditional insurance companies. They remain governed by community organizations (Community Health Centers) which, in turn, are governed by community members. Their work is motivated by the best interests of their members, providers and communities. They promote managed care as a way to control costs. CHPW works hand-in-hand with local community resources and community organizations to support all aspects of their members’ lives. For them, health care means putting together a whole team to support their members with their whole health at every stage of their health journey and working to remove the barriers that stand between them and their best health.

The CHPW network includes:

• 21 Community Health Centers operating more than 140 clinics
• More than 2,700 primary care providers
• More than 14,900 medical specialists
• More than 7,500 behavioral health specialists
• More than 100 hospitals

Giving back to their communities

In the last two years, CHPW has provided funding to community-based organizations on the front lines of pandemic response, while also providing funding to CHCs like ours across the state to support initiatives addressing health disparities. As a further part of CHPW’s commitment to Washington’s communities, every full-time CHPW employee has 40 hours of paid volunteer time that they use to serve meals at local food banks, work on Washington’s hiking trails, and clean up public spaces.

CHPW is a longtime supporter of Unity Care NW. They have partnered with us on several health care expansions, including our recent North Whatcom Health Center project. And they are participants in our Health Care Champions Sponsorship Program.

 Just like Unity Care NW, Community Health Plan of Washington believes in the power of community. Because they know when we stand together, we stand stronger. Thank you, CHPW, for all that you do to ensure health care access for all and for supporting our work in so many ways.

Umpqua Bank – Committed to Community Since 1953

It all started in Canyonville, Oregon, a timber town nestled along the South Umpqua River. A group of pioneers who were part of this tight-knit community came together to build what they needed: a school, a church, a grocery store, a diner, an auto shop. And when the citizens of Canyonville needed a better place than the local watering hole to cash their checks, they came together and built a bank.

Milt Herbert, one of Umpqua Bank’s founding fathers (second from left), and crew.

Since South Umpqua State Bank opened their doors back in 1953, they’ve grown a lot (with multiple locations now), but their values have stayed as strong as their roots. They believe in the power of community. They believe in giving back.

Umpqua Bank supports all of the communities where they have branches. They give to charities, provide volunteer hours, and have a matching gift program for employees. They focus on boosting financial health and engaging with their communities through nonprofit partnerships. Here are some amazing stats from their 2020 Giving and Community Benefit Highlights:

• $3.5 Million – Total charitable giving and sponsorships
• 843 – Number of community organizations those grants supported
• 100% – Percent of counties where Umpqua operates that received grants
• 21,513 – Volunteer hours completed

November 15^th is National Philanthropy Day, a great time to take a moment to acknowledge the amazing supporters that make Unity Care NW’s work possible. Umpqua Bank is a longtime supporter of Unity Care NW, sponsoring our work and collaborating with us to secure a PPP Loan during this difficult time of pandemic. They are also participants in our Health Care Champions Sponsorship Program. Click here to find out how your organization can participate in this program and be part of ensuring health care access for everyone.

From all of us at Unity Care NW, thank you, Umpqua Bank, for joining us in the journey to create a stronger and healthier community for everyone to thrive.